Scientists say a gulp of coffee followed by 20 minutes nap is the new formula of refuelling energy. This concept is trending as the ‘coffee nap‘. Latest experiments revealed that coffee naps are better than only coffee or naps.
Coffee Nap – A clinical discussion
The dreamy climate and a cup of ‘Filter Kaapi’ perfectly define the word ‘love’ for every Bangalorean. So when Krishna Kiran professed his love for pure black coffee I was not surprised.
He told me that after his coffee he needs a 15 minutes quick nap. This was his secret of high energy and agility all day long. Well, he knew the formula but he did not know that there is a specific term to this!
His friend looked at me and said, ‘But doctor how can someone sleep after drinking coffee? Isn’t it some kind of brain stimulator that keeps you awake?’
I asked, “Have you heard about the new trend of ‘coffee nap’?”
The latest plug-in to recharge your energy is the simple practice of taking a short nap of 15 to 20 minutes after coffee. It is called coffee nap. Experts say its a major boost to your regular power nap.
Also Read: Is coffee a boon or a bane?
How does coffee nap works?
Well, I said, it takes about 20 minutes for caffeine to kick in. Mathematically,
200mg of caffeine + 20 minutes of nap = rejuvenating coffee nap
So, after you drink your coffee, it will take about 20 minutes to start activating your brain cells. And if you take that 20 minutes nap, by the time you wake up, you will feel doubly fresh!
Also Read: Health Benefits of Power Nap
The scientific explanations
The main culprit making us sluggish in the middle of an important day is a chemical called adenosine that promotes sleep. Caffeine gets absorbed in the blood and blocks the receptors of this sleep causing chemical. Thus, drinking coffee makes you feel refreshed and energized.
But, caffeine cannot block every single adenosine receptor as it competes with adenosine for these spots, winning some and losing some. So, how to feel completely refreshed? Here comes the twist!!!
Short sweet sleep is effective in naturally sweeping off the adenosine. So, if you take a nap for 20 minutes, you’ll naturally reduce your levels of adenosine. The power combo of caffeine and sleep will ward off all the adenosine thus making you completely alert, energized and recharged.
Also Read: Coffee and Longevity
Studies on coffee napping
A study divided 10 young adults into five experimental groups for a clinical study. Each of the participants was given a different intervention in the middle of the computer task.
One group took a 20-minute nap. Other participants took a nap and then washed their faces, or were exposed to bright light immediately after waking.
Another had 200 mg of caffeine plus a nap. And a fifth group simply rested. At the end of the study, the trophy was given to the group who took caffeine plus a nap.
In another study, researchers at Loughborough University proved through several studies that a 15-minute coffee nap can result in better alertness and cognitive functioning than only coffee, or only nap.
Scientists all over agree that it is more effective at restoring cognitive function and combating fatigue than drinking coffee or taking a nap.
Sleep after coffee: Research
A “coffee nap” refers to drinking a cup of coffee followed by a brief nap. This combination has been found to be effective in improving alertness and cognitive performance.
Studies have shown that the caffeine in coffee takes about 20-30 minutes to take effect. By taking a nap immediately after drinking coffee, the caffeine has time to enter the bloodstream and work in tandem with the restorative benefits of napping. This can lead to a more pronounced improvement in alertness and cognitive performance compared to either coffee or napping alone.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to caffeine, and some people may be more sensitive to its effects. Additionally, it may be best to limit napping to no longer than 20-30 minutes to avoid grogginess and sluggishness upon waking.
Also Read: How many cups of coffee should you drink in a day?
Quick Tip: Do not sleep longer than 20 minutes as you can fall into “sleep inertia”.
How to take a coffee nap?
- Drink your coffee
- Set your alarm for 20 minutes
- Doze off to a sweet sleep.
Conclusion
So, my advice is whenever sleep clouds your eyes, grab your cup, gulp your coffee and go for a sweet nap, and if your IT boss catches you sleeping tell him about this new phenomenon.
23 comments
I very much agree with the mind activation after drinking coffee. It’s surely the best.
I liked the last sentence of the article 😀 I’ll surely talk about this at work 🙂
Doctor is becoming more and more practical. Understanding .
Very interesting and informative article
Very much useful information. Brain will be refreshed after drinking coffee. Very good article.
Your blogs are simply amazing and I eagerly wait for the next one. We learn so many new things which we were not aware of and the best part is your narration the way you explain, it’s like reading and picturizing at the same time.
Very interesting and useful tip
Very interesting and useful tip. Thanks for sharing doctor.
Absolutely true. I used to believe that tea and coffee make you so alert you can’t sleep after consuming them. So it was a no-no as soon as evening sets in. However, what I experienced is, small quantity of coffee actually makes you fresh which then allows you to have a good sleep. The article explains my experience, partially. I am a coffee lover and this as well as prev blog on coffee consumption is like a boon. You know, I always take doctors advice seriously 🙂
I am really not sure of power nap helping as much as a good coffee!!!!!! As i feel both are 2 diffrent ways to relax… Now that adding both can be a multipler..😀😀.
I always have this question ” What goes best with a cup of coffee? And i feel Another cup…. does this mean ALL IS WELL !!!!
Interesting blog !!!!
Interesting!
Very interesting fact sir.we are a tea drinking people carrying a wrong mindset of having coffee is not that good.Morever tea is the most preferred drink after Shunti tea and kashayam in our native place.and it is also wrongly considered that drinking coffee is heat for the body …and definitely never a two cup at all . Coffee gaina it’s importance and preferably given to a women after the delivery considering it keeps the body heat and dry .
I really don’t the fact untill you said it on your blog
I think going through your curious and fact full article I have to switch to coffee.As it anyway taste good .
Very interesting and informative article. Before the articles about coffee, my conception was that coffee ‘ll make our body heat and damage our sound sleep. But now I started drinking coffee and am telling my friends to do the same.
Without paying doctor’s fees, we are learning many valuable things☺
Thanks a lot sir🙏
Thank you Doctor this is really a very good information which I can apply to myself and my son.
Thank you so much.😊👍
Interesting! Challenging to implement at office.
It is very interesting to know that coffee with 20 minutes nap makes our body and mind fresh. Definitely this fact will help folks to become more productive during noon. Thanks for sharing this awesome information and looking forward for more such informative articles.
I actually remember doing this during post-lunch hours in office 😁. But didn’t realise it had a theory behind it!
Well articulated doctor. Lots of love to coffee😍
Fantastic post.
I loved your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Really appreciate you sharing this post. Much obliged.
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